Chairman of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Buba Marwa has disclosed that over 8000 persons were arrested for drug-related offences between January and August.
This was disclosed on Monday by Marwa during a town hall meeting in Badawa community, Nasarawa LGA of Kano state.
The NDLEA chairman said about 1,600 of the suspects have been convicted to serve jail terms.
He said over two million kilograms of assorted drugs were seized from the suspects during the period under review.
According to Marwa, unemployment is one of the main causes of drug abuse in the country.
“War against drug abuse and trafficking is our collective responsibility and is for our betterment, because even criminal activities were as a result of drug abuse,” he said.
“President is on top of the situation, he is committed to lift over 100 million Nigerians out of poverty.”
The NDLEA chairman added that the agency is working towards the establishment of ‘War Against Drug Abuse’ committees in every community across the country.
He said the committees will be headed by traditional rulers while religious leaders will be among the members.
Marwa added that the committees will work with NDLEA to sensitise residents on the dangers of drug abuse and provide information on drug dealers, abusers, and traffickers.